Capture stunning wildlife photographs at the National Zoo in the morning hours as the animals emerge from their enclosures. Led by pet and wildlife photographer Julie Gould, this hands-on safari will provide tips on composition, lens use, and more. Don't miss the chance to potentially see pandas up close!
The very best times to capture the animals at the National Zoo in your camera are the morning hours when they come out of their cages and dens. Pet and wildlife photographer Julie Gould, who has spent years photographing animals of all types in and out of zoos, leads this morning trek to all the best photo ops.
While not guaranteed, it is possible that we will get Panda Passes on site the day of our safari!
The National Zoo is one of the nation’s premier locations showcasing many species of wild animals from around the world. The many species will keep us entertained for the entire time we’ll spend photographing them. We’ll concentrate on the animals in outdoor exhibits starting with the Great Cats—African LIONS and TIGERS—Amur and Sumatran. While we’re there, Julie will discuss how to read the light, be taught how to anticipate the best action, and learn how to create the best possible images at each exhibit. We’ll also discuss long lens techniques, selective depth of field, techniques for getting great backgrounds and the importance of patience.
Among the animals you will capture in your camera on this safari are zebras, cheetahs, turtles, antelopes, gorillas, elephants, eagles and maybe even the pandas! Julie will also offer tips on lens use, composition, ISO and white balance settings and moving quickly to get the best wildlife photographs.
What to Expect and Bring
This safari is best enjoyed by photographer enthusiasts and professionals who know their camera controls. It is also an active safari with 2-3 miles of walking on zoo grounds.
Long lenses are suggested for this class for the animals in the outdoor exhibits – a minimum of 300mm or 200mm with a 1.5x tele-extender is recommended. (Long lenses like 400mm can be rented for the weekend at District Camera (DC, VA), f8 rentals (DC, VA), ProPhoto (DC) or at websites such as LensProToGo.com, Borrowlenses.com, and LensRental.com). Tripods or monopods are highly encouraged.
Bottled water is highly recommended as we are doing a lot of walking!
Washington Photo Safari operates rain or shine. A separate itinerary is followed on rain or snow days, utilizing landmarks with unique photogenic interiors, such as The National Building Museum, Union Station, The National Postal Museum, The Lincoln Memorial, and the Jefferson Memorial.
In the event that an instructor or the school needs to cancel last minute, students will receive a refund less a 5% non refundable registration fee.
In any event where a customer wants to cancel their enrollment and is eligible for a full refund, a 5% processing fee will be deducted from the refund amount.
People who viewed this class also viewed the following classes
Washington Photo Safari teaches the techniques of photography by taking visitors and local residents on half-day and full-day photo shoots around key sites of the nation’s capital and other cities, while an accompanying professional photographer offers participants extensive tips in camera use, image...
Read more about Washington Photo Safari
This school has been carefully vetted by CourseHorse and is a verified Washington, D.C. educator.
Washington Photo Safari
Northwest Washington
3001 Connecticut Ave NW
At Connecticut Ave NW
Washington, District of Columbia 20008 Northwest Washington
3001 Connecticut Ave NW
At Connecticut Ave NW
Washington, District of Columbia 20008
Meet 15 minutes before the safari start time, outside the front gate of Smithsonian National Zoo, at 3001 Connecticut Avenue NW in Washington DC. Closest Metros are Cleveland Park and Woodley Park on the Red Line. There is limited free parking on Connecticut Avenue.
Booking this class for a group? Find great private group events
Or see all Art Group Events
Explore group events and team building activities ranging from cooking, art, escape rooms, trivia, and more.
Secure your booking now and we'll match any price drop within 48 hours across all booking platforms, ensuring you never miss out on savings!
Maximize your savings with every purchase. Unlock rewards on every transaction, ensuring you get the most value out of your experience!
Enjoy hassle-free transactions without worrying about additional charges. With us, what you see is what you pay - no surprises!
Discover a curated selection of courses handpicked by experts in the field. Dive into quality content that suits your learning needs and interests!
Get it first. Sign up for up-to-the-minute offers, sales and news.
More in Photography
Made in NYC
© CourseHorse, Inc. 2024
Get special date and rate options for your group. Submit the form below and we'll get back to you within 2 business hours with pricing and availability.
CourseHorse Gift Card
